Frustrated welder shopper

[TomC750]

In the process of moving and ending up with a smaller shop, I thought I might sell my Miller 211 (which I really like) and buy a TIG. I want to do some aluminum welding, learning TIG in the meantime. I assumed I could buy a combination ac TIG/MIG. Hard to understand why that combo does not seem to be available. Looks like I may have to keep my MIG and go for a TIG/stick and sell the old Century stick which works great but probably is not worth much. Any comments welcome!

 

[ItsNemo]

Don't ditch the 211, it's a useful machine and you'll never get your money back. Most 3 in 1 machines don't do AC TIG which is needed for aluminum, I guess just the way the power supplies are setup in them. As an alternative though, did you consider just getting a spool gun for your 211?

 

[AMCguy]

I agree with the above.

The 211 is too versatile for a small shop to be without.

An AC/DC tig/stick is a great machine to round out your arsenal. I love my Miller Econo Tig.

Glenn

 

[offroadsteve]

The challenge is that the two welding processes GMAW/MIG and GTAW/TIG use fundamentally different power supplies. MIG is a "constant voltage" power supply, while TIG/stick is a "constant current" power supply.

There are machines that can do both. A Longevity / Everlast import machine on the low end, and a Miller XMT with a separate wire feeder on the high end.

However, you give up features going to an all in one, even the XMT. I agree with the others to keep the 211 and keep your eye out for a used Syncrowave, or spring for a Econo TIG or a Dynasty if budget allows.

 

[txvwnut]

AHP Alphatig. Lotta welder for little cash and has a small footprint and will hang with the blue and red machines all day long. They have quite the following on here so I figure a few more Alpha owners will chime in.

 

[A**holes Garage]

AHP Alphatig. Lotta welder for little cash and has a small footprint and will hang with the blue and red machines all day long. They have quite the following on here so I figure a few more Alpha owners will chime in.

I'm going to learn TIG soon and I'm going to get on their on the order list for their new machine due out in May. I do small hobby type projects and feel the AHP should fit my needs and budget.

 

[matt_i]

I learned tig on EconoTig, I think I sold it for more than I bought it...but graduated to a Syncro 250 when the time came.

 

[Cheepbeer]

I'm gonna make some room soon and I think I'm going this way. Yeah, it might be China, but I'm retired and half the Miller is 3 times the $.

https://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/mig/powermts-221-sti-tig-package

Mike

 

[kaymccampbell]

You could put it all on one cart, like in the last picture here.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6641674&postcount=8764

 

[Zhammy3]

Selling my Dynasty 200 water cooled Tig here real soon.Might not be allowed to post, but just throwing it out there. Going to be stepping up to a 400. Id have to think about what i want out of it. Located in IA. Learning TIG is a great skill to have.

 

[TomC750]

I am more than appreciative of the responses here. I'm 77 but still learning, often from those much younger than I. And I have been welding for about 60 years, mostly on stick until I got the MIG a few years back. I guess I know which route I am going Thanks again.

 

[Wood'nMetal]

Check out ESAB. The shop I ran had a mig/tig combo unit plus spool gun. I don't remember the model though.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Not a fan of multi process ac/DC welders. For that much money, you can buy separate, full featured machines.

Most guys weld far, far more steel. Mig is easier, faster, and simpler. Tig is nice when you work with dozens of alloys and do not know which will break next. Most home shops work with one or two metals. I suspect most work is chosen and planned.

 

[longez]

Miller has a rebate on their Synchrowave 210 that will AC/DC TIG, stick and MIG weld with the included spool gun and 17 aircooled torch. About $2,500 after the rebate.

 

[Bretny]

Dont sell your mig! I was shopping around for a tig welder also. I have done tig on steel/aluminum many times so knew what i was looking for. Near 100* duty cycle at 200a. If your looking for new the everlast is hard to beat. The used market i was looking at spending 1/2-3/4 the price of an everlast for a quality lincoln,esab or miller machine.
If all your looking to do is learn to tig and tig some aluminum a 200a max suit case machine should do you just fine. There are quite a few on the used market and fairly cheap to ship (ebay).

My father ended up giving me his lincoln square wave 175 so i quit shopping.

 

[Falcon67]

X14 on the 211 - keep. I only have a 140 Hobart but if I get a TIG it'll be a separate unit. Eastwood and the new HF stuff is a consideration for me. Yea, I'd like a Syncrowave but that's not my budget. Even a 211 would be tough.